While ADHD is becoming more known and accepted by general society, research shows that there is still a significant discrepancy in the Black community for an accurate diagnosis. Originally, ADHD was diagnosed almost entirely in males; but as researchers gathered more data they found that females were more likely to meet the criteria for diagnosis than originally thought. In addition, the children originally diagnosed with ADHD were primarily Caucasian as their families were more likely to seek treatment and have resources available to access services. As a result, Black children and minorities were significantly less likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis.
Paul Morgan, Ph.D., stated that ADHD is not a privileged disability. As ADHD diagnosis has become more common, the race discrepancy has slowly dwindled. Clinicians that have been properly trained in diagnosing ADHD and that have exposure to diverse backgrounds are finding that more minority children actually meet the criteria for the diagnosis. However, research indicates that Black children are 69% less likely to receive a diagnosis than their counterparts. This information is very important because early diagnosis can be hugely helpful for families, especially if medication is being considered. Misdiagnosis or under-diagnosis is the beginning of the health disparity pipeline that occurs for Black Americans.
Another reason for under-diagnosis is related to parents. Many parents that have not been exposed to mental health or have minimal knowledge of ADHD are less likely to seek services or identify that there is a problem. It is very common for Black Americans to minimize symptomology or ignore small difficulties that over time develop into larger difficulties in all areas of life. There is a long history of this behavior and it continues to impact Black children and Black families. For instance, Black boys that struggle with emotional dysregulation or coping with big feelings may be perceived as aggressive and can be diagnosed as having Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or simply be labeled an aggressive Black child, instead of considering the potential for an ADHD diagnosis.
Teachers may notice children being silly, sleeping in class, being overwhelmed and frustrated, talking excessively, not completing work on time, or refusing to do assignments. At home, parents may notice their child struggling to complete homework or simply refusing to do so, always on their electronics, having difficulty completing chores, being late, having difficulty sleeping, or often talking back out of frustration. These are all common symptoms of ADHD that are often not attributed to a diagnosis in Black children but often may receive a referral for services in Caucasian families.
To simplify, does ADHD look different in Black children? The short answer is NO. The perception of the clinician and their education and exposure are major factors related to diagnosing, as well as the awareness of the parent or willingness to accept their child’s challenges.
Why therapy?
Therapy can be very beneficial for Black children with a diagnosis of ADHD. Understanding feelings and how the mind and brain operate can lead to an improvement in symptoms. Instead of feeling like they are an outcast or a “bad child”, they can start to feel relief and understanding which can develop toward improvement in self-esteem. In addition to learning about how their brains are wired, these children can learn tools that help them improve areas of difficulty and focus on areas of strength in day-to-day life.
Why parenting?
Parenting is already a stressful job and parenting a child with symptoms of ADHD or a diagnosis of ADHD can bring even more challenges. Learning new tools can be extremely helpful for anyone but especially for children with ADHD. Typical parenting is often more unhelpful than helpful. Unless you are a parent that has some familiarity with ADHD or executive functioning concerns, generationally learned parenting will fall short. You may wonder why the normal: “because I told you so”, “you need to calm down”, “I just told you to do that 3 times”, “you’re grounded”, “you need to listen”, “behave”, “I’m the adult”, “I brought you into this world”, and so on does not work effectively. Parenting focuses on teaching parents about how their child is wired and what tools you can use to benefit both you and your child.
Why Dandelion?
Dandelion Family Counseling specializes in parent education and ADHD treatment for children. Our clinicians are highly educated experts in the field of ADHD and the comorbidities or common diagnoses that typically accompany an ADHD diagnosis. We also have clinicians that specialize in the area of ADHD in Black children. Our goal is to support the entire family while being culturally sensitive and mindful of labels associated with mental health. Please check out some of our other blogs that focus on ADHD for more symptomology